gas exchange in insects

Question 1

how do insects maximise gas exchange

Answer 1

-large surface area by having many branching tracheoles
-short diffusion distance as many branching tracheoles reach muscle and thin walled tracheoles
-maintaining a steep conc gradient as when cells respire they use up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. abdominal muscle contract to pump air

Question 2

how do insects do ventilation

Answer 2

-gases move in and out of the tracheae through the spiracles
-a diffusion gradient allows oxygen to diffuse into the body tissue while waste CO2 diffuses out
-contraction of muscles in the tracheae allows mass movement of air in and out

Question 3

which part of the gas exchange system closes to reduce water loss

Answer 3

spiracle

Question 4

what happens to gas exchange when insects are in flight

Answer 4

the muscle cells start to respire anaerobically to produce lactate. This lowers the water potential of the cells and therefore water moves from the tracheoles (tracheal fluid) into the cells by osmosis. This decreases the volume of liquid in the tracheoles and causes more air from the atmosphere to move

Question 5

what is the spiracle

Answer 5

an external opening or pore that allows air in and out of the trachea

Question 6

what is the tracheae

Answer 6

large tubes extending through all body tissues supported by rings to prevent collapse

Question 7

what are tracheoles

Answer 7

smaller branches dividing off the tracheae

Question 8

what is tracheal fluid

Answer 8

the fluid found at the ends of tracheoles in an insects tracheal system

Question 9

what is tracheal system

Answer 9

a system of air-filled tubes in insects